it is a very nice word indeed! it does for everything.

[tempestsarekind]

I went to a talk today in which someone asked, "Do you remember the part in Northanger Abbey where Catherine starts talking about a 'nice' book and Henry says 'this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk, and you are two very nice young ladies'?"

It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. I mean, I only say that all the time.

Comments

[neadods]

My favorite part of that scene is his sister verbally smacking him down and telling Catherine to ignore him. His sister was proof that you can have a quiet but strong character.

[tempestsarekind]

Yes--"You are more nice than wise." I remember being in a class that thought Henry was a misogynist, but given how many of his comments are made in his sister's hearing, it seems more likely that he's twitting her as well. And I love that she mocks him right back.

[neadods]

it seems more likely that he's twitting her as well

That was always my reading of it; that the two of them had a constant, low-level, loving one-upmanship going on. I think his "misogyny" is simply treating Catherine like his sister, in the expectation that she'll verbally cross swords.

I figure after a year or so of marriage - because Catherine was always more innocent than actually stupid - they have some rousing lingual duels.

[tempestsarekind]

in the expectation that she'll verbally cross swords

And instead she usually just misses the joke. Oh, Catherine. :) I do love her. And I like your idea of their marriage! It makes sense--after a while, she'd have to catch up.